ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government of India removes Impediments in COVID-19 Testing
Urges States to Ramp up Testing
With the aim to remove all impediments in testing, Ms. Preeti Sudan, Health Secretary and Dr Balram Bhargava, DG  today urged the States/UTs to take immediate steps to facilitate and ramp up testing. They have reiterated that ‘test-track-treat’ is the key strategy for early detection and containment of the pandemic.
Pointing out that in some States/ UTs, the capacity utilization of the testing labs, particularly the ones in private sector, is grossly sub-optimal, States/UTs have been strongly advised to take all possible steps to ensure full capacity utilization of all COVID-19 testing laboratories in the State/ UT.
States/UTs have been advised to facilitate testing at the earliest by enabling all qualified medical practitioners, including private practitioners, to prescribe COVID test to any individual fulfilling the criteria for testing as per ICMR guidelines.
ICMR has strongly recommended that laboratories should be free to test any individual in accordance to the ICMR Guidelines and State authorities must not restrict an individual from getting tested, as early testing will help in containing the virus and saving lives. While RT-PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis of COVlD-19, ICMR has recently approved the use of a point-of-care Rapid Antigen Test for early detection of COVID-19. The test is quick, simple, safe and can be used as a point-of-care test in containment zones as well as hospitals, as per criteria specified by ICMR for testing. More such kits are being validated by ICMR to increase the available options to the citizens. ICMR has so far approved a total of 1,056 laboratories for COVID-19 testing. Of this, 764 labs are in public sector and 292 are in the private sector.
In order to facilitate testing, States/UTs have also been advised to make efforts in 'campaign mode' by setting up camps/ using mobiles vans in high incidence areas to collect samples of all symptomatic individuals as well as their contacts, and get those samples tested by using rapid antigen tests. The positive individuals should be treated according to the treatment protocol and the negative ones should be tested for RT-PCR. Also, the rate for RT-PCR test by private labs should be finalized by the States/UTs. They have been further advised to make it mandatory for all labs to upload the testing data on the ICMR database as well as report to State/ District/ City authorities for surveillance and contact tracing.
In addition to ramping up and facilitating testing, States/UTs have also been urged to pay attention to 'contact tracing' as it holds the key to containing the virus. States have also been asked to maintain strict vigil and continue to make all possible efforts for effective management of COVID-19.
Ministry of Power
CESL achieves 50 lakhs LED bulb distribution milestone under flagship Gram Ujala
Targets to distribute 10 million LED bulbs under Project Crore in 2 million households till March 31, 2022
Convergence Energy Services Limited , a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited , has achieved a remarkable milestone of distributing 50 lakhs LED bulbs under Project Crore of their Gram Ujala programme.
Gram Ujala scheme is being implemented in rural households in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
Under the able leadership of Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, CESL began this illuminating the villages journey in March this year. On National Energy Conservation Day 2021 this month, CESL achieved distributing 10 lakh bulbs in a single day.
CESL is providing high quality 7-Watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years guarantee at a cost of INR 10 per bulb in exchange of working incandescent bulbs. Every household can exchange a maximum of 5 bulbs. The distribution has resulted in energy savings of 71,99,68,373.28 units per year with cost savings of 250 crores per year in the rural areas of aforementioned states. The programme is active till March 31, 2022.
Speaking on this achievement, Ms. Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, CESL said that this programme is to ensure holistic development of rural ecosystem. Under the leadership of Shri R K Singh Ji, CESL is constantly working towards providing better illumination in the rural parts of five states. Working on the same financial model of carbon credits, we will be expanding this to rural parts of other states upon completion of Project Crore, she added
CESL is supported by C-Quest Capital in the entire distribution journey under SHINE programme.
Applauding the partnership, Mr. Ken Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer, C- Quest Capital said that using carbon finance as the means to achieve energy efficiency in rural India is a powerful use of carbon markets. Doing this at scale is tremendous. Today’s 50 lac milestone is an important marker in this admirable program of the government of India which we are proud to co-finance and facilitate.
About CESL:
Convergence Energy Services Limited  is a subsidiary of state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture of public sector companies under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. CESL is focused on delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy.
Convergence focuses on energy solutions that lie at the confluence of renewable energy, electric mobility, and climate change. CESL is also working towards enabling battery-powered electric mobility and its infrastructure and design business models to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in India. By employing unique business models, Convergence is utilizing a blend of concessional and commercial capital, carbon finance and grants as appropriate to enable commercialization of these solutions at scale.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Press Communique
In exercise of the power conferred by clause  of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint the following Advocates and Judicial Officers as Judges of the Telangana High Court, w.e.f. the date they assume charge of their respective offices:-
|
||
|
Name 
|
|
Name of High Court
|
|
l .
|
|
Kasoju Surendhar alias K. Surender, Advocate
|
|
As Judges of the
Telangana High
Court
|
|
2.
|
|
Smt. Surepalli Nanda, Advocate
|
|
3.
|
|
Mummineni Sudheer Kumar, Advocate
|
|
4.
|
|
Smt. Juvvadi Sridevi alias Kuchadi Sridevi, Advocate
|
|
5.
|
|
Natcharaju Shravan Kumar Venkat, Advocate
|
|
6.
|
|
Smt. Gunnu Anupama Chakravarthy, Judicial Officer
|
|
7.
|
|
Smt. Maturi Girija Priyadarsini alias Priyadarshini, Judicial Officer
|
|
8.
|
|
Sambasivarao Naidu, Judicial Officer
|
|
9.
|
|
Anu Santhosh Reddy, Judicial Officer
|
|
10.
|
|
Dr. Devaraju Nagarjun, Judicial Officer
Department of Justice , Ministry of Law & Justice.
Ministry of Finance
4,31,86,423 subscribers enrolled under Atal Pension Yojana up to 21.07.2022
As per information received from Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority , 4,31,86,423 subscribers have been enrolled under Atal Pension Yojana  up to 21.07.2022. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that the APY is a Government of India Scheme which was launched on 9th May, 2015, and was operationalised w.e.f. 1st June, 2015. It is open to all citizens of India between 18-40 years of age, having a savings bank account in a bank or post-office.
The Minister stated that APY is a voluntary, periodic contribution-based pension scheme, under which the subscriber would receive the pension after attaining the age of 60 years. Each subscriber under APY shall receive a Central Government guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month or Rs. 2000 per month or Rs. 3000 per month or Rs. 4000 per month or Rs. 5000 per month, after the age of 60 years until death, depending on the contribution chosen. On death of subscriber, same pension to spouse as the subscriber is guaranteed by Government of India, until the death of the spouse. After the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber, the Minister stated.
AYUSH
Inauguration of Regional Raw Drug Repository of National Medicinal Plants Board at AIIA, New Delhi
The Minister of State  for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the Regional Raw Drug Repository  today at All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi through a virtual function. This RRDR is the second in the series of repositories proposed by National Medicinal Plants Board , Ministry of AYUSH and will be dedicated to the Trans-Ganga Plain Region. The event is graced by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary Ministry of AYUSH.
There is an increased demand for the natural healing and herbal products across the globe. COVID has further pushed the demand and many of the key herbs like Asvagandha, Giloi, Tulsi, Kalmegh, Mulethi are on high demand. With the increasing demand for the herbal medicines, the NMPB which is already engaged in the development of a mechanism to ensure supply of quality raw material to the AYUSH industry as well as consumers expedited the process of establishing the Raw Drug Repositories.
NMPB is already involved in the process of developing policies in this direction and for attaining speedy development in the areas of making sustainable availability of authentic raw material of medicinal plants for the AYUSH industries. In order to document the diversity in the genetics and chemistry of medicinal plants, eight RRDR and one NRDR have been proposed by Ministry of AYUSH. Out of them, three Regional Raw Drug Repositories are ready.
RRDR for Trans- Ganga Plain Region covers four states -Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab. This region has a huge potential for medicinal raw materials. Therefore, this RRDR would play a stellar role in collection, documentation, and authentication of raw drugs collected largely from the respective agro-climatic region.
NMPB also released a protocol titled “Standard protocol for Quality assessment of Raw Medicinal Plants Material on the basis of Rasa in collaboration with All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi and National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.
MV/SK
(Visitor Counter : 1079
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh & his Egyptian counterpart General Mohamed Zaki hold bilateral talks in Cairo
Agree to enhance conduct of joint exercises & exchange of personnel for training to strengthen defence ties
Sign MoU to bolster defence cooperation across all sectors of mutual interest
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Egyptian Defence Minister General Mohamed Zaki in Cairo on September 19, 2022. Shri Rajnath Singh, who is on an official visit to Egypt, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence in Cairo, prior to the commencement of bilateral talks. During the meeting, both sides discussed steps to strengthen defence ties and reached a consensus to enhance conduct of joint exercises and exchange of personnel for training, especially in the field of counter-insurgency.
The two Ministers also agreed to identify proposals for expanding cooperation between the defence industries of India and Egypt in a time-bound manner. They also exchanged views on regional security and acknowledged the contribution of India and Egypt to peace & stability in the world. Both sides expressed happiness at the intensified defence engagement and exchanges over the last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the Raksha Mantri’s call on with the President of Egypt Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, both the Ministers agreed to consolidate and focus on enhancing security and defence aspects of bilateral cooperation. Signing of MoU by the two Defence Ministers on cooperation in the field of defence was a milestone event during the visit, which will pave the way for enhancing defence cooperation across all sectors of mutual interest.
Shri Rajnath Singh also invited his Egyptian counterpart to the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave, scheduled to be held as part of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between October 18-22, 2022.
As part of his day’s engagements, the Raksha Mantri paid homage at the Unknown Soldier Memorial and Tombstone of the late Egyptian President Anwar El–Sadat in Cairo.
ABB/Savvy
(Visitor Counter : 1655
Prime Minister's Office
PM speaks to Bihar CM regarding flood situation in the State; assures all support to Bihar government
PM speaks to Bihar CM regarding flood situation in the State; assures all support to Bihar government
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has spoken to the Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar regarding the flood situation in parts of the state.
The Prime Minister tweeted that the Centre has assured all support to the Bihar government to mitigate the flood situation and that the situation is being monitored closely.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by floods in parts of Bihar. The situation is being monitored closely.
Centre assures all support to Bihar government to mitigate the flood situation. Teams of NDRF are in Bihar for rescue and relief work”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Big Boost for Khadi Artisans with Railway’s Rs 49-crore Purchase Order to KVIC during Covid-19 Lockdown
Khadi activities got a major push during the last year – a year that largely remained affected due to the Covid-19 lockdown - thanks to a huge purchase order worth Rs 48.90 crore from the Indian Railway. While the railways purchased Khadi goods worth Rs 8.48 crore in December 2020 alone, it substantially created employment and income for Khadi artisans during the testing times of Covid-19.
The purchase orders from Indian Railways directly benefited artisans registered with 82 Khadi Institutions across the country that are engaged in production of material like sheeting cloth, towels, bed sheet, flag banner, sponge clothes, Dosuti Cotton Khadi, bunting clothes and others.
During the period from May 2020 to December 2020 , Indian Railways procured Khadi material worth Rs 48.90 crore which kept Khadi activities going during the pandemic. Interestingly, Indian Railways purchased goods worth Rs 19.80 crore from Khadi in the months of May and June when the economy had taken a severe hit due to lockdown. Similarly, railways procured Khadi goods worth Rs 7.42 crore in July and August while it purchased Khadi products worth Rs 13.01 crore in the months of October and November.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena thanked Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal for supporting Khadi artisans by placing large orders to KVIC. “During the pandemic, KVIC faced the biggest challenge of sustaining employment and livelihood of the artisans. While KVIC engaged its artisans in making Khadi masks during the pandemic; it simultaneously received bulk orders from the railways too that kept Khadi’s spinning wheel on the move. This meant additional employment and income for the artisans which helped them overcome the financial distress and support the country's economy,” Saxena said.
Apart from supporting Khadi through direct purchases, Railways have also implemented policy decisions to strengthen Khadi artisans. In one such move, Railways have designated 400 railway stations where only earthenware is used for selling food and beverages to passengers and thus a major boost to the potters trained by KVIC under KumharSashaktikaranYojana. The Railway Ministry is in the process of notifying another 100 railway stations as “Plastic-free Stations”.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister attends convocation of National Institute of Fashion Technology in Chennai
The 10th Graduation Ceremony of the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Chennai was held today.
Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Smt Darshana Vikram Jardosh attended the event as the chief guest and addressed the young graduates.
She later conferred degrees on 268 students in various disciplines. The Minister also presented gold medals, cash prizes and certificates to those who excelled.
Handicrafts Development Commissioner and National Institute of Fashion Technology Director General Shri Shantmanu addressed the students at the event. Director Dr Anita Manohar, Head of Education Dr Vandana Narang, Dr Divya Sathyan and others participated in the convocation.
###
(
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's telephonic Conversation with President Putin of Russian Federation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on telephone today with President of the Russian Federation H.E. Vladimir Putin.
The leaders discussed the evolving Covid-19 pandemic situation. President Putin expressed solidarity with the people and government of India and conveyed that Russia would extend all possible support in this regard. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Putin and noted that the prompt Russian support to India was a symbol of our enduring partnership.
The two leaders noted the ongoing cooperation between the two countries to fight the global pandemic. Approval for emergency use of Sputnik-V vaccine in India was appreciated by President Putin. The leaders noted that the Russian vaccine will be manufactured in India for use in India, Russia and third countries.
Both leaders attached importance to further deepening bilateral cooperation in various sectors in the spirit of our special and privileged partnership. Prime Minister Modi conveyed appreciation for the support received from Russia for India’s Gaganyaan Program and the completion of the Russian phase of training of the four Gaganyaan astronauts.
The leaders noted the scope for increasing cooperation in the area of renewable energy, including the Hydrogen economy.
The leaders decided to establish a new 2+2 dialogue at Minister level comprising Foreign and Defence Ministers from both countries.
The two leaders recalled the important decisions taken during their last Summit meeting in Vladivostok in September 2019. Prime Minister Modi conveyed that he looks forward to President Putin’s visit to India later this year for the Bilateral Summit which would provide an occasion to continue their personal and trusted conversation. President Putin assured the Prime Minister of Russia’s full support for the success of India’s Presidency of BRICS during 2021. The two leaders agreed to remain in close touch on bilateral and international issues.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Press Communique
The President is pleased to appoint Shri Arun Goel, IAS   as the Election Commissioner in the Election Commission with effect from the date he assumes the office.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 184.87 Cr
Over 1.92 Cr vaccine doses administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 12,054
795 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.76%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.22%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 184.87 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,22,15,213 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 1.92 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10403859
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10002280
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4490941
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18413507
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17514855
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6929201
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
19218099
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57386396
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
38713882
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
554807914
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
467684002
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202783194
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
185736716
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126763579
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
115689417
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12195239
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,36,15,381
|
|
Total
|
|
1,84,87,33,081
Following a continuous downward trend, India’s Active Caseload declines to today 12,054 Active cases now constitute 0.03% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76%. 1,280 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,24,96,369.
795 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,66,332 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 79.15 Cr  cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily Positivity Rates too. Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.22% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.17%.
Department of Atomic Energy
Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh says, the installed nuclear power capacity grew from 4780 MW to 6780 MW, an increase of over 40% in the last seven years
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last seven years, the installed nuclear power capacity grew from 4780 MW to 6780 MW, an increase of over 40%.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, DrJitendra Singh informed that India is pursuing an indigenous three-stage nuclear power programme to provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner. In addition, Light Water Reactors based on foreign cooperation are also being set up as additional facilities to provide the country clean electricity.
In a separate question on Nuclear Power augmentation, DrJitendra Singh informed that Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant KKNPP 3&4  project implemented by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited  has achieved a physical progress of 54.96% as of November, 2021.
He said, the units of KKNPP 3&4 project are expected to be completed by March, 2023 & November, 2023 respectively. Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility  project is presently being executed by Nuclear Recycle Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Department of Atomic Energy. Financial progress of the project as on 30th November 2021 is 32% and the Project is expected to be completed by December 2027.
<><><><><>
SNC/RR
(Visitor Counter : 876
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch National Animal Disease Control Programme on 11th September 2019
Towards Empowering Farmers
In one of the major efforts towards doubling the Farmers Income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall be launching the National Animal Disease Control Programme  for eradicating the Foot and Mouth Disease  and Brucellosis in the livestock, on 11th September from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
With 100 Percent funding from the Central Government, of Rs 12,652 Crores for a period of five years till 2024, the programme aims at vaccinating over 500 Million Livestock including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs against the FMD.
The programme also aims at vaccinating 36 Million Female Bovine Calves annually in its fight against the Brucellosis disease.
The Programme has two components – to control the diseases by 2025 and eradication by 2030.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall also be launching the National Artificial Insemination Programme on that day.
Also expected is the simultaneous launch of the nationwide workshops in KrishiVigyanKendras in all the 687 Districts of the country on the topic of vaccination, disease management, artificial insemination and productivity.
During his visit to Mathura on the 11th September, the Prime Minister shall also be taking up the Swachhta Hi Seva Programme.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condemns the terrorist blast in Kabul
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has strongly condemned the terrorist blast in Kabul.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist blast in Kabul. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.
India stands with Afghanistan in fighting all types of terrorism. Forces supporting terrorism need to be defeated,” the Prime Minister said.